COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State Department of Athletics along with the Ohio State men's and women's golf teams honored Jane and Walt Dennis Monday morning in a naming celebration at The Ohio State University Golf Club. Construction on the Jane and Walt Dennis Golf Performance Center began in March at the course and the new indoor practice facility is set to open January 2014.

The 20,800-square-foot indoor golf facility will be an exclusive building for both the men's and women's golf teams and will be one of the largest collegiate indoor golf centers in the country. It will house both team locker rooms and offices for each coach as well as meeting rooms and storage. Highlighting the center's many features is the heated hitting bay building that will allow for year-round practice in all facets of the sport.

"To be a part of this means a great deal to Jane and me," Walt Dennis said. "Having a chance to help golf and give back to a sport that has meant so much to me since my father put a 9-iron in my hand at age 8 means so much. It is going to be a spectacular facility."

After an opening from associate vice president and director of athletics Gene Smith, men's golf head coach Donnie Darr spoke on the importance of this facility to both programs and current and future student-athletes.

"We will now be able to help young men and women develop their talents in this sport in ways we've never been able before," Darr said. "As coaches, it is our obligation to help our student-athletes reach their dreams and what they aspire to be. With the help of Jane and Walt's commitment, we are going to have the finest facility in the country from an indoor standpoint to go along with the finest collegiate golf course in the country."

Sophomore Claudia Lim followed with words on behalf of all the student-athletes.

"Thank you to Jane, Walt and Gene for supporting the men's and women's golf teams," Lim said. "This facility will not only help us get better, but will also be our second home. It will be very beneficial, especially during the winter months so that we can practice all year long and we cannot thank you enough."

Walt and Jane closed the ceremony talking about the exciting future for Ohio State golf.

"It is wonderful to be able to build what we truly believe will be the greatest indoor golf facility in the country," Dennis said. "To be able to play all year round, especially during the winter, will allow Ohio State to move to new levels athletically. These programs have such a great history with names like Jack Nicklaus and other golf greats and this facility will help them become champions again."